Golf ball cleaning device



July 8, 1969 R, w BARTON ET AL 3,453,675

GOLF BALL CLEANING DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1968.

FIG. 2

INVENTORS ROBERT W. BARTON ARTHUR M. BROCKMAN BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,453,675 GOLF BALL CLEANING DEVICE Robert W. Barton, 9046 Link Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63114, and Arthur M. Brockman, RR. 2, Box 257, Troy, Mo. 63379 Filed Feb. 28, 1968, Ser. No. 708,950 Int. Cl. B08b 1/00; Bc 11/08 US. Cl. 15104.92 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A golf ball cleaning device which may be conveniently carried on the person or golf cart. Cleaning or removing stains from a ball is accomplished by rubbing the ball against a moistened sponge or pad disposed in a container and which is accessible through an opening in the container wall. Cleaning fluid in a separate chamber in the device is adapted to be delivered to the pad in limited or controlled amounts when the device is oscillated or shaken.

Background of the invention The present invention supplies a need for a small, portable, eflicient ball cleaning device during a game. The device of the present invention has provisions that make it highly useful and practical for its intended purpose in that it embodies a self-contained cleaning pad and a supply of cleaning fluid for moistening the pad as needed. An important object is achieved in provisions for conserving the relatively small amount of fluid that may be conveniently carried in a device of this kind.

Summary of the invention Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 of the drawings is a sectional view through the device, and

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the device with a wall portion removed to illustrate the internal construction.

Description of a preferred embodiment A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow body member 1 in the shape of a truncated sphere. The body 1 has a circular access opening 2 in the plane of truncation. A narrow, inwardly directed rim 3 extends around the opening 2 and provides a retainer flange for a cleaning pad 4. Pad 4 preferably comprises a disc-shaped cellulose sponge which is adapted to fit snug- 1y within a correspondingly shaped compartment 5 below and in communication with the access opening 2. A partition wall 6 in the body extends in parallel relation with the plane of opening 2 and divides the interior of the body into the pad compartment 5 heretofore mentioned, and a lower chamber or reservoir 7 for cleaning fluid. Reservoir 7 is in communication with the pad compartment by the passage 8 in a metering tube 9 which extends from partition wall 6. Tube 9 projects downwardly into chamber 7 and has its free end 10 disposed close to, but

ice

spaced from the bottom of that chamber. Tube 9 is preferably formed separately from the body 1 and is provided with an end flange 11 by which the tube is cemented to the partition wall.

The device is arranged to be suspended in a position with the opening tube facing downwardly (or inverted from the position shown in FIG. 1), and with the free end 10 of the metering tube disposed uppermost. For that purpose there is provided an apertured lug 12 on the outer surface of the body member, in axial alignment with tube 9. When suspended by cord 13 fastened to lug 12 the exposed portion of the pad will face downwardly and the end of tube 10 will extend above the level of liquid in the fluid chamber.

An integrally formed circumferential rib 14 projects inwardly from the side wall of the pad chamber and into pad 4, serving with flange 3 to retain the pad in place within its chamber. The pad is removable to facilitate the introduction of cleaning fluid into the device. When it is desired to moisten the cleaning pad the unit is oscillated or shaken to cause limited batches of fluid to pass from the chamber to the pad through the passage in tube 9.

A golf ball may be cleaned by pressing it into and rotatingly rubbing it on the pad to remove dirt and stains.

We claim as our invention:

1. A ball cleaning device, comprising:

(a) a hollow body member,

(b) a partition wall dividing the interior of the body member to form therein a pad compartment and a constant volume fluid chamber,

(c) the body member having an outer opening communicating with said pad compartment,

(d) an absorbent cleaning pad removably disposed in the pad compartment, the pad being accessible through the body opening,

(e) means, providing a fluid passage extending through the partition wall and interconnecting the pad compartment and fluid chamber for transferring fluid to the pad,

(f) the fluid passage means includes a tube extending from the partition Wall into the fluid chamber, the tube being provided with an end opening spaced remotely from the partition wall and above the fluid level in the inoperative position of the device, and (g) the constant volume fluid chamber having a substantially truncated spherical configuration.

2. A ball cleaning device as defined in claim, in which (h) a mounting lug on the outer surface of the body member is located in substantial alignment with the axis of the metering tube and oppositely disposed from the body opening to suspend the device with the tube above the fluid level in the inoperative position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 346,088 7/1886 Cahoone 401-202 656,301 8/ 1900 Pfeitfer 15-244 XR 1,710,816 4/1929 Evans 15104.92 2,608,705 9/1952 Duff 1521.1 2,622,257 12/ 1952 Lemonds et al 15104.92 2,624,900 1/1953 Smith 15--1O4.92 RX FOREIGN PATENTS 501,681 11/1954 Italy.

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 118-270 

